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Friday, August 8, 2008

Where are they now? Danan Hughes

Danan Hughes played wide receiver for Iowa from 1989 to 1992. After redshirting during the 1988 season, Hughes set a team record for freshman receiving yards with 471 yards on 28 receptions in 1989. That team record stood until the 2006 season when freshman Dominique Douglas passed Hughes to become Iowa’s all-time freshman receiving leader. Hughes still ranks 2nd on Iowa’s all-time career receiving list, behind only Tim Dwight, with 146 receptions for 2,216 career yards. His 21 career touchdown receptions are tied with Dwight for most in team history.

Hughes, along with quarterback Matt Rodgers and the running tandem of Nick Bell and Tony Stewart, helped lead the Hawkeyes back to the 1991 Rose Bowl where Iowa lost to Washington 46-34. The Hawkeyes have not been back to Pasadena since. Iowa also was invited to the 1991 Holiday Bowl the next season in Danan’s junior year and played BYU to a 13-13 tie. During the final regular season game of 1991, Hughes was on the receiving end of one of Matt Rodger’s 3 touchdown passes against Minnesota in the classic “Snow Game”. Danan celebrated by making a snow angel in the south end zone in Iowa's 23-8 victory which gave legendary coach Hayden Fry his 100th victory at Iowa.

Danan Hughes also played outfield for the Hawkeye baseball team and was one of the best two-sport athletes in Iowa history. Hughes was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1992 Amateur baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. Only two Hawkeye baseball players have been drafted higher since 1992. He decided to make football his full-time profession after college when the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the 7th round of the 1993 NFL Draft. Hughes played for the Chiefs from 1993 to 1998 as a wide receiver and special teams player.

Danan Hughes currently resides in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and works with US Bank Home Mortgage. He also works as a TV Analyst for the Kansas City Chiefs with Metro Sports. This spring Hughes was also covering Big Ten baseball with the Big Ten Network.

Hawkeye Sports News was able to catch up with Danan Hughes this spring to ask him about some of his favorite memories and experiences at Iowa. Here is a transcript of our chat with former Hawkeye great Danan Hughes:

HSN: What is the favorite memory you have from your playing days with Iowa?Danan Hughes: Too many great memories to count but the 1991 Rose Bowl, Minnesota vs Iowa “Snow Game” in 1991, Illinois vs Iowa baseball series and many more.

HSN: How did your experiences at Iowa help prepare you for life after football?DH: The culture and atmosphere at Iowa has helped me to engage and connect with people. It also helped me be more personable in the business world.

HSN: How closely do you still follow the Hawkeyes and what are your feelings on the upcoming season?DH: I haven't been to many games since I left Iowa but I follow both Football & Baseball. I am looking forward to both programs rebounding strong in 2008/2009.